Die NATO
Nordatlantikpakt
Europa und die Vereinigten Staaten vor der NATO
"Die USA und Europa" in Luxemburger Wort (3. Mai 1948)
TextAm 3. Mai 1948 analysiert die Luxemburger Tageszeitung Luxemburger Wort die Pläne der Vereinigten Staaten für eine militärische Unterstützung Europas.
Vandenberg Resolution (Washington, 11 June 1948)
TextOn 11 June 1948, the US Senate adopts the Vandenberg Resolution supporting the association of the United States, by constitutional procedures, with regional or collective arrangements based upon continuous and effective individual or mutual aid.
Cartoon by Lang on NATO (30 October 1948)
Image‘...28 October 1948 ... The Atlantic Pact is in sight - Uncle Sam: ‘Before that big fellow over there grabs you, I’ll marry you with all your scrawny kids…’ On 30 October 1948, in the face of the Soviet threat, the cartoonist Ernst Maria Lang comments on Europe's relief at the protection afforded by the military alliance with the United States.
"Pax durch Pakt" in Der Spiegel (11. Dezember 1948)
TextAm 11. Dezember 1948, kurz vor der Schaffung der Nordatlantischen Allianz (NATO) am 4. April 1949, beschreibt das deutsche Nachrichtenmagazin Der Spiegel die Bemühungen der Vereinigten Staaten zum Aufbau eines Bündnissystems.
Cartoon by Shepard on the transatlantic link between the United States and Western Europe (23 February 1949)
ImageOn 23 February 1949, as negotiations are held on the establishment of a new military alliance, British cartoonist Ernest Howard Shepard illustrates the United States' determination to protect Western Europe from the Communist threat.
Cartoon on the establishment of an Atlantic Pact (25 February 1949)
Image‘Mirage.’ On 25 February 1949, the German weekly journal Europa-Kurier publishes a cartoon on the wanderings of a Western Europe which is seeking unity and is attracted by the prospect of military alliance with the United States.
French Communist cartoon against the establishment of an Atlantic Pact (26 February 1949)
ImageOn 26 February 1949, the French Communist daily newspaper Le Patriote mosellan criticises the reassuring words of the British Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, on the importance of the future Atlantic Pact, comparing them to the uplifting words of British Prime Minister Arthur Neville Chamberlain in 1939 concerning the Munich Pact. For Le Patriote mosellan, this military alliance between the countries of Western Europe and the United States is a new tool for war and not for peace.
Unterzeichnung des Nordatlantikpakts
Rede von Paul-Henri Spaak (Washington, 4. April 1949)
TextAm 4. April 1949 hält der belgische Premierminister und Außenminister Paul-Henri Spaak bei der Zeremonie anlässlich der offiziellen Unterzeichnung des Nordatlantikvertrag in Washington eine Rede.
Speech by Joseph Bech (Washington, 4 April 1949)
TextThe signing of the North Atlantic Treaty takes place on 4 April 1949 in the Grand Auditorium of the State Department in Washington. Joseph Bech, Luxembourg Foreign Minister, delivers a speech on the importance of the new military alliance.
Address given by Harry S. Truman (Washington, 4 April 1949)
TextAt the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington on 4 April 1949, the US President, Harry Truman, gives an address on the importance of the future alliance and on the need to maintain peace across the world.
Die Gründung der NATO (1949)
MapKarte der zwölf Gründerstaaten der Nordatlantikpakt-Organisation (NATO), die am 4. April 1949 in Washington den Nordatlantikvertrag unterzeichnen. Der Vertrag tritt am 24. August 1949 in Kraft.
Ernest Bevin signs the North Atlantic Treaty (Washington, 4 April 1949)
ImageOn 4 April 1949, in Washington, Ernest Bevin, British Foreign Minister, signs the North Atlantic Treaty.
Ceremony to mark the signing of the Washington Treaty (4 April 1949)
ImageOn 4 April 1949, in Washington, Joseph Bech, Luxembourg Foreign Minister, gives an address during the ceremony to mark the signing of the agreement establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Robert Schuman at the French Embassy in Washington (April 1949)
ImageRobert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, after the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, under the portrait of Lafayette at the French Embassy in Washington in April 1949.
Rede von Paul-Henri Spaak (Washington, 4. April 1949)
Audio extractAnlässlich der Unterzeichnung des Nordatlantikpakts am 4. April 1949 in Washington hält der belgische Premierminister Paul-Henri Spaak eine Rede, in der er die Bedeutung der NATO für den Frieden in der Welt unterstreicht.
Rede von Harry S.Truman zur Unterzeichnung des NATO-Vertrags (Washington, 4. April 1949)
Audio extractAnlässlich der Unterzeichnung des Nordatlantikpakts am 4. April 1949 in Washington betont der amerikanische Präsident Harry S. Truman in einer Rede die Bedeutung von Frieden und Wohlstand für die Atlantische Allianz.
Unterzeichnung des Nordatlantikvertrags (Washington, 4. April 1949)
VideoAm 4. April 1949 unterzeichnen die Außenminister Belgiens, Kanadas, Dänemarks, der Vereinigten Staaten, Frankreichs, Islands, Italiens, Luxemburgs, Norwegens, der Niederlande, Portugals und des Vereinigten Königreichs in Washington den Nordatlantikvertrag
Jean Chauvel, Commentary: from Algiers to Bern (1944–1952): extract on the North Atlantic Treaty
TextIn his memoirs, Jean Chauvel, Secretary-General of the French Foreign Ministry, recalls the multilateral negotiations for the establishment of a new system of Western security. These negotiations would lead to the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949 in Washington.
Entry into force of the North Atlantic Treaty (24 August 1949)
ImageOn 24 August 1949, in Washington, the US President, Harry S. Truman, signs the Convention implementing the North Atlantic Treaty. Behind him, from left to right: Sir Frederick Hoyer Millar (United Kingdom), Henrik de Kauffmann (Denmark), W. D. Matthews (Canada), Louis Johnson, (US Defence Secretary), Wilhelm Munthe de Morgenstierne (Norway), Henri Bonnet (France), Pedro Theotonio Pereira (Portugal), Dean Acheson, (US Secretary of State), O. Reuchlin (Netherlands) and Mario Lucielli (Italy).
Address given by Vincent Auriol at the opening ceremony of SHAPE (Rocquencourt, 2 April 1951)
ImageOn 2 April 1951, Vincent Auriol, President of the French Republic, gives an address in Rocquencourt at the opening ceremony of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). SHAPE was set up as part of an effort to establish an integrated and effective NATO military force.
Aerial view of the SHAPE buildings (Rocquencourt, 2 April 1951)
ImageIn April 1951, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) moves to its site in Rocquencourt, near Paris. It would remain at this site until 1967, when it permanently relocated to Casteau, near Mons, in Belgium.
North Atlantic Treaty- The Greece-Turkey Protocol (London, 22 October 1951)
TextThe Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty relating to the accession of Greece and Turkey is signed in London on 22 October 1951. On 18 February 1952, Greece and Turkey officially become members of NATO.
Unterzeichnung des Nordatlantikpakts
Greece and Turkey join NATO (London, 22 October 1951)
ImageOn 22 October 1951, in London, the Deputy Permanent Representatives of the North Atlantic Council sign the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of Greece and Turkey (who will officially become members on 18 February 1952). From left to right: Tjarda van Starkenborgh-Stachouwer (Netherlands), André De Staerke (Belgium), L. Dana Wilgress (Canada), Hervé Alphand (France), Gunnlaugur Petursson (Iceland), Soren C. Sommerfelt (Norway), M. De Steensen-Leth (Denmark), Alberto Rossi Longhi (Italy), Ruy Ennes Ulrich (Portugal), André Clasen (Luxembourg), Sir Frederick Hoyer Millar (United Kingdom) and Charles M. Spofford (USA).
Caricature de Low sur la question des forces militaires européennes intégrées à l'OTAN (28 février 1952)
Image"Passer en revue les troupes en carton". Le 28 février 1952, le caricaturiste britannique David Low s'interroge sur la capacité du général américain Dwight D. Eisenhower, commandant suprême des forces alliées en Europe (SACEUR), pour pallier l'infériorité numérique des forces armées européennes au sein de l'Alliance atlantique.
Reaktionen
"Die europäische Verteidigung" in Le Monde (19. März 1949)
TextAm 19. März 1949 reagiert die französische Tageszeitung Le Monde auf die Unterzeichnung des Vertrags von Washington zur Gründung der NATO und fragt nach der Rolle der Europa in diesem nordatlantischen Verteidigungsbündnis.
‘My village running on American time? Never!' from L'Humanité (19 March 1949)
TextOn 19 March 1949, the French Communist daily newspaper L’Humanité warns against the dangers of the future North Atlantic Treaty and deplores the United States’ imperialist policy.
Carlo Sforza, Five years at the Palazzo Chigi
TextIn his memoirs, Italian Foreign Minister, Carlo Sforza, recalls the bitter debates at the Italian Parliament during discussions on the North Atlantic Treaty in March 1949.
‘The historic hour’ from De Volkskrant (4 April 1949)
TextOn 4 April 1949, commenting on the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, the Netherlands daily newspaper De Volkskrant sets out the tasks of the Atlantic Alliance and outlines the role played by the United States within this new military organisation.
Cartoon by Illingworth on Soviet foreign policy and the establishment of NATO (4 April 1949)
ImageOn 4 April 1949, British cartoonist Leslie Gilbert Illingworth takes an ironic look at the role played by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
‘Twelve countries sign the North Atlantic Pact’ from Het Parool (5 April 1949)
TextOn 5 April 1949, the Dutch daily newspaper Het Parool reports the signing by 12 Western countries of the North Atlantic Treaty and outlines the key points of this new military alliance.
Cartoon on the position of the Soviet Union regarding NATO (April 1949)
ImageIn April 1949 the German satirical magazine Der Tintenfisch portrays ‘Russia’s response to the Atlantic Pact’ and attacks the Soviet leadership’s participation in the atomic arms race.
Demonstration against NATO (Rome)
ImageWhile members of the Italian Government meet in the Montecitorio Palace to discuss Italy’s accession to the Atlantic Pact, demonstrations against NATO are held on the streets of Rome, and a large nunber of people are injured as a result of strong-arm intervention by the police.
"Marshallplan und Atlantikpakt" in Luxemburger Wort (5. April 1949)
TextAm 5. April 1949 analysiert die Luxemburger Tageszeitung Luxemburger Wort die Auswirkungen des Nordatlantikpakts auf die Ost-West-Beziehungen, der am Vorabend in Washington unterzeichnet wurde.
'European defence' from the Corriere della Sera (5 April 1949)
TextOn 5 April 1950, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera speculates on the military capacity of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and underlines the importance of the military and financial assistance provided by the United States for the defence of Western Europe.
‘The Atlantic Treaty’ from the Internationale Spectator (20 April 1949)
TextOn 20 April 1949, the Dutch journal Internationale Spectator comments on the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington on 4 April.
Johannes Linthorst Homan, ‘How are you doing, Europe?’
TextIn January 1951, Johannes Linthorst Homan, Director of European Integration in the Netherlands Ministry for Economic Affairs from 1952 to 1958, summarises the international situation and reviews the scale of US economic and military aid to Europe.
‘Atlantic and European cooperation’ from the Internationale Spectator (16 April 1952)
TextOn 16 April 1952, the Netherlands journal Internationale Spectator analyses the origins of Atlantic and European cooperation and the issues surrounding this cooperation
Favourable publicity for NATO (4 May 1955)
ImageIn May 1955, the United Aircraft Corporation, the principal US aircraft manufacturer, publishes a promotional insert in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Advertisement in support of NATO (15 May 1955)
ImageOn 15 May 1955, the United Aircraft Corporation, a major American aircraft manufacturer, lends its full support to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera.